The ballroom has captured our imaginations for centuries.
Today, the tradition of ballroom dance has largely died, but our fascination for it still clings. Swords and gowns, gentlemen and ladies—from glittering fairy tales like Cinderella to the glories of classic Hollywood cinema, the idea still delights us.
History of Ballroom Dance
The traditions of the ballroom began when European courts started adapting folk dances into something more sophisticated and posh.⁽¹⁾ These intricate adaptations became something to learn and practice—often under the instruction of a relative or dance master. The exact date ballroom dance came into existence is difficult to peg—likely around the late 1600s to early 1700s.⁽²⁾ From then on, it gained steadily in both popularity and importance. The ballroom became a stage to show off grace, style, and social prowess: not just a pastime, but an integrated part of upper-class life and an essential subject in any well-to-do child’s education.⁽³⁾
Balls became particularly popular in and around the Romantic era,⁽⁴⁾ and much of the imagery we associate with those events comes loosely from that period. Despite their elegant, bright atmosphere, these gatherings were very serious—filled to the brim with etiquette and tradition. Rules existed for everything: how to speak, the correct number of guests, and who to invite. Elaborate dress codes dictated the attire down to the appropriate color dress to suit a lady’s hair and the shade of men’s gloves. Equally strict codes of conduct dominated every social exchange. A young woman couldn’t even speak to a man without a formal introduction nor could she ask anyone to dance. But once asked, she couldn’t politely refuse. Rules also dictated how many dances attendees could take with the same partner, sometimes as strict as only one.⁽⁵⁾ Guests were expected to meet and engage with as many people as possible throughout the evening, and forgetting a promised dance was considered extremely rude⁽⁶⁾. Ladies often used dance cards, both to keep track of the night’s engagements and as a convenient way to decline unwanted suitors by claiming they had already filled their evening.⁽⁷⁾
Following these rules was of the utmost importance. Balls were the social stage of the time: a place to network, rub elbows with the powerful, craft a good reputation among your peers, and for the young, a place to search for a future spouse. Young women in particular needed to excel in the ballroom. In those times, a daughter’s chief business was finding a husband, and balls provided a singularly good opportunity to do this. (Upper-class families arranged balls specifically for this purpose, hosting “coming out” ceremonies to introduce mature daughters to society.) Every young woman strove to be “belle of the ball,” not only out of pride but necessity. Guests pitied and often looked down upon a girl without a partner. If anyone had no partner for multiple dances in a row, they must leave the gathering. Yet a girl could never seek a partner herself.
Workarounds for this social catastrophe did exist. Wise young women would plan ahead, filling slots on their dance cards beforehand, or at very least, came to the ball with a “social flock,” insuring plenty of dances form within their existing circle. A system of glove, fan, and handkerchief signals also developed, allowing guests to communicate without ever saying a word.⁽⁸⁾
But as with all fashions, the ballroom eventually outlived its popularity. Come the mid- to late-Victorian era, a new generation had left the ballroom behind and the proud tradition of ballroom dancing hit a lull. It wasn’t until around 1910 that it started to take hold again, this time in America.
But as with all fashions, the ballroom eventually outlived its popularity. Come the mid- to late-Victorian era, a new generation had left the ballroom behind and the proud tradition of ballroom dancing hit a lull. It wasn’t until around 1910 that it started to take hold again, this time in America.
Ballroom Dance in America
We often consider ballroom dance a European pastime, but wherever Europeans went they took their traditions with them. This included America.
Balls held much the same role in American society as they did in Europe: a sign of prowess to host and attend them, and a place to cultivate relationships and keep up appearances.⁽⁹⁾ But as time went on, it started to acquire a uniquely American flavor.
In the wake of industrialization, the swelled working and middle classes took to dance, bringing a breath of fresh air into the musty ballrooms. Ragtime music—and the plethora of energetic dance steps that followed on its heels—transformed old traditions into something more “modern.” Exhibition ballroom teams claimed these trends and refined them, making the new dances wildly popular. As time went on, social and professional dancing continued to feed off one another, building respectively into golden age Hollywood and the iconic American “clubs.”
cultivated to give a light and buoyant poise to the body; his facial expression become one of pleasure and laughter. In such a one it is difficult to conceive any mental dejection.”
And in the words of ballroom dancer Joan Sawyer:
“It seems evident that the spread of the dancing habit has done much for women; not alone in the acquirement of added grace, for dancing is the best form of exercise, both for the body and the mind. . . . It inspires healthy thinking, a sane point of view, and normal poise.”⁽¹⁰ ᵖ²⁷¹⁾
Standardization of Ballroom Dance
Most dances are, to some extent, standardized. It’s how we tell a jig from a shuffle, learn the dances ourselves, and pass them on, even if we never write these standards down. Originally, people passed on ballroom dance in that way—the younger learning from older members of the court or maybe from a traveling dance master. But word-of-mouth instruction doesn’t help those studying the subject today. Some of the most famous literature on this early period of ballroom dance comes from Thoinot Arbeau in his treatise, Orchésographie, published in 1589. Basically an encyclopedia of dance, the book lays out everything from dance steps to notes on execution and proper accompanying music.⁽²⁾ Manuscripts like this give us a clearer picture of what dances looked like in those times.The earliest ballroom dances were stiff and performed facing the throne—in accordance with the tradition of never turning your back on the king.⁽¹⁾ As court rules eased, the dances grew more natural, but partners still kept each other at arm's length. When the waltz made its debut, its close hold—associated so strongly with the ballroom today—made it downright scandalous.⁽⁴⁾ Society didn't receive the tango much better. Most public clubs frowned on it, some even forbade it, and it actually got
itself banned by the Pope.⁽¹⁰ ᵖ²⁷¹⁾ As time went on, ballroom dance continued to evolve, following new fashions and trends. Rock and roll, disco, and even breakdancing were considered ballroom dances—for however short a time.⁽¹⁾ In 1924 the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing formed its dedicated Ballroom Branch, and the standards they established remain to this day.⁽¹¹⁾
Aside from a few niche and novelty appearances, it’s in the realm of competition that ballroom dance shines now. Currently, competitions recognize five styles: waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot, and quickstep. These make up “International Style,” with “American Style” removing quickstep from the list.⁽¹²⁾ Each of these dances use a different rhythm and have a unique look and feel. A quick google search can provide you with videos of each of them in execution, and you can find a sampling of the music which accompanies them here. (This list of recognized dances excludes Latin dance, which, although performed alongside ballroom dance in competition, is subtly different and a topic for another time.⁽¹³⁾ However, the provided link does include samples of Latin dance music.)
Aside from a few niche and novelty appearances, it’s in the realm of competition that ballroom dance shines now. Currently, competitions recognize five styles: waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot, and quickstep. These make up “International Style,” with “American Style” removing quickstep from the list.⁽¹²⁾ Each of these dances use a different rhythm and have a unique look and feel. A quick google search can provide you with videos of each of them in execution, and you can find a sampling of the music which accompanies them here. (This list of recognized dances excludes Latin dance, which, although performed alongside ballroom dance in competition, is subtly different and a topic for another time.⁽¹³⁾ However, the provided link does include samples of Latin dance music.)
Ballroom Dance For Writers
You can find a lot of ways to work ballroom dance into your writing—from historical fiction to competitions to characters who just like historical dance. Heck, even a Black Swan-style ballroom thriller could be interesting. The thing to keep an eye on when working with this is time period. Characters foxtrotting around a Victorian ballroom wouldn’t work. When and where your story takes place will affect the dance, music, dress, and social expectations of the environment. Even modern day dance groups have a culture that hangs around them—something worth looking into. Not only is accuracy good practice, but it can give your readers clues as to when, and even where, a story takes place. You shouldn’t rely on this exclusively (unless readers don’t need to know exactly when the story takes place), but even if readers never put the pieces together on their own, such attention to detail draws them deeper into the world. It’s also fun to see who does catch on; it’s a great way to discover people with the same brand of nerdy interest as you. The resulting chatter can create a great community around your work.
You can also use this information as a springboard for your world building. Dance plays a huge part in human cultures: we shape them, and they come back around to shape us. Exploring this element can add a beautiful layer to your world.
You can also use this information as a springboard for your world building. Dance plays a huge part in human cultures: we shape them, and they come back around to shape us. Exploring this element can add a beautiful layer to your world.
References and further reading:
Images by order of appearance:
(A) Vintage ad for “Erasmic” soap and perfumes, featured in Punch (1922)
(B) Pages out of a dance manual dating back to 1488 from Library of dance.
I highly recommend visiting this website. It’s a bibliography of a ridiculous number of dance manuals, some of them dating back even further than this one.
A looking at Thoinot Arbeau and his treatise, Orchésographie.
A cheat sheet of ballroom dance history separated by era.
A period produced manual containing everything from the proper etiquette and dress to detailed descriptions of dances. A great resource for historical fiction writers.
An overview of the ballroom hosted by the McCord Museum.
An extensive and quite informative paper about dance cards.
Society. A brief introduction to the art of subtle ballroom communication as well as a list of gestures and their meanings.
A look at ballroom dance in early America
A look at the upward surge of ballroom dance in industrial America and its effects. The rest of the book is a great resource as well—not on ballroom dance specifically but on the history and importance of dance as a whole.
A list of competition-recognized ballroom and Latin dances with a brief description for each,
Extra:
Another treasure for historical-fiction writers offering a detailed look at the etiquette of the time.
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